Category: Google Maps

It looks like Google is testing an update to the Google Business Profile design where Google shows new icons and a slightly updated layout from the old version. The new layout also seems to make the information a bit easier to see and click on from wh…

Google has posted a notice within the Google Business Profiles performance report that it will stop sharing as much data under the driving directions report. Google said, “Starting in January 2024, you might see fewer direction requests.”

Google is testing a “Chat with a live agent” button in the search result snippets. We have seen Google place the “Chat with a live agent” button in the local pack and local panels before but I don’t believe we have seen it in a search result snippet.

Google Business Profiles has a feature named view market comparison. Here Google is showing you how your hotel is priced against the competition in the area. It has a price comparison of your hotel rates and other properties.

Google announced it is shutting down Websites made with Google Business Profiles. They will stop working on March 1, 2024 and will only redirect to your Google Business Profile listing until June 10, 2024. After that, anyone who tries to go to that lis…

Before creating your Google Business Profile listing, make sure you are using the right language. If not, it may cause serious issues for you in the long run where the services will be wrong and will appear in that language.

Google is testing local ads in its search results titled “Choose a place in the area.” This comes in a format with image carousels and list views.

Google seems to be testing a new box underneath the local pack that is titled “websites for places.” It shows websites that represent the place listings showing in the local pack above it.

Google sends some businesses personalized emails about suspensions to their Google Business Profile. The emails explain why the suspension happened and the necessary steps to reverse the suspension, with an offer for more personalized advice over email.

Earlier this month we covered a report from Sterling Sky that said the Google Local search ranking algorithm now uses if a location is open as part of its local ranking system. Google’s Search Liaison, Danny Sullivan, confirmed the change late on Frid…

Google has added to some listings in the local panel in its search results a “Share” button within the three dots in that listing. Previously, the three dots had the ability to suggest an edit, learn more about the data and maybe claim the listing. No…

There is a bug with the Google Business Profile agency dashboard where owners and managers cannot accept new invites. The issue started a few days ago, Google is aware of the bug and working on fixing the issue.

Google has added to the new Google Business Profile suspension emails the ability to make an appeal request, right from the email. The latest update was that the emails showed details on why your business was suspended but now Google gives you a blue …

At the beginning of this year we covered the updated posting restrictions guidelines for Google Maps where Google said they can turn off posting for a particular place. Well, we are now seeing an example of that in action, where Google is testing the r…

Google is testing bolding the name of the business within the local panel in the search results. I was unable to replicate this but my screenshot shows my company name in normal text, while the test shows a bolded font for the company name.

Joy Hawkin and team posted about a new Google local ranking factor – the factor is is if a business is currently listed as open or closed based on its business hours. She said businesses that are currently closed are now ranking lower than they did a f…

There are some reports of the reviews left on some Google Local Service Ads that say those reviews are being hijacked. In a sense, the reviews are being taken from one local listing and placed on another.

Google is testing showing a justification (or label) for local restaurant listings within Google Search and Google Maps that says “serves vegetarian dishes” with a green leaf icon.

Google seems to be testing allowing searchers to “heart” a photo in the local search results. This can be a way for Google to learn if the images uploaded to the hotel listing is useful to searchers and maybe also help searchers interact with the Goog…

Google redid its Google Business Profiles reinstatement process and I think as part of that (I can be wrong), Google added this review service restrictions webpage. It will show you if you have any business listings that you manage that have any restri…